‘Kaboom’: Police investigating alleged bomb threat to newly-opened Islamic school in Lakemba

Police are investigating an alleged bomb threat made to a newly-opened Islamic school in Sydney’s southwest. It comes as the local mayor condemns the rise in Islamophobia.

Police are investigating an alleged bomb threat against a southwest Sydney Islamic school.

Police are investigating an alleged bomb threat made to a newly-opened Islamic school in Sydney’s southwest.

The investigation was launched after Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek noticed a comment stating “Kaboom” with three bomb emojis made to his social media post about Al Faisal College’s new Lakemba campus earlier this week.

The user, who cannot be named, also commented: “Spend the money wisely deporting the scum in the area.”

Generic image of Muslim student. Police are investigating an alleged bomb threat against a southwest Sydney Islamic school. Picture: istock

“The messages left on my social media are hateful and hurtful,” Mr El-Hayek said.

“What sort of person does this sort of thing?

“When I saw the comment, it made me feel sick that someone would spread fear to innocent children and the rest of the community.”

Mr El-Hayek said he had since reached out to the school to offer his support.

“Targeting an educational institution is abhorrent and the school community deserves much better,” he said.

“The investigating police and Minister have been very supportive and assured me they will be doing all they can to bring this person before the courts.”

On Friday, Al Faisal College principal, Safia Khan Hassanein, said “the safety of our students and staff is our first and highest responsibility”.

“We take any security concern extremely seriously and act immediately to ensure the wellbeing of our school community,” Ms Hassanein said.

“The online comments have been referred to police, in whom we have every confidence. We thank them for their concern, swift response, and ongoing commitment to keeping our school and the broader community safe.”

On Wednesday, officers attached to the Bankstown Police Area Command commenced an investigation into the alleged online threat.

Mayor Bilal El-Hayek. Picture: Robert Pozo

A comment stating "Kaboom" with three bomb emojis was made on a post about the school's grand opening. Picture: TikTok

“As inquiries continue, anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” police said in a statement.

“The NSW Police Force takes hate crimes seriously and encourages anyone who is the victim of a hate crime or witnesses a hate crime to report the matter to police through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through triple-0 (000) in an emergency.

“It is important that the community and police continue to work together to make NSW a safer place for everyone.”

The alleged threat comes just days after a teenage boy allegedly threatened to “Christchurch 2.0” a newly-opened mosque in Edmondson Park.

A 16-year-old boy from Western Australia was charged and remains before the courts.

Last year, Kelly Farrugia – a former casual teacher at Granville Boys High School – was arrested and charged after allegedly making religiously motivated threats towards pro-Palestine supporters just days after allegedly speeding towards prominent Muslim leader Sheikh Wesam Charkawi with her car.

Edmondson Park mosque. Picture: Facebook

“The rising incidence of Islamophobia throughout the community is alarming and must be condemned and those responsible are un-Australian and must be weeded out and put before the courts,” Mr El-Hayek said.

“Islamophobia is up, I was speaking to (a representative) from the Islamophobia register and reports are up 564 per cent since October 2023.

“Intimidating and spreading fear throughout the community is just not acceptable and those perpetrating these crimes must be held to account. Our community needs to feel safe and go about.

“And I want to stress, whether it’s in the Eastern suburbs or the West – hate speech is hate speech and it will never be tolerated.”